Four can play this game

Jackson and Central get mixed results in a jamboree that included Poplar Bluff and Parkway North.

Southeast Missourian

Jackson and Central both brought significantly overhauled rosters into Friday's jamboree at Jackson, so it was not surprising to the coaches when their teams experienced a mix of ups and downs in the tuneup to next week's season openers.

"They all had some good plays, and then had some that weren't so good," Jackson coach Carl Gross said. "The good thing about this bunch is they're all willing to work hard."

Along with the two area squads, SEMO North Division opponent Poplar Bluff was at Jackson along with Parkway North.

The Indians looked sharp on their first turn at offense. In the 12 plays allotted to them, the Indians gained 112 yards and scored a touchdown against Parkway North. All of this was done with a unit which had just one returning starter.

Starting tailback Joel Penrod had a 50-yard run on his second carry, and new quarterback Rex Meyr completed 2 of 6 passes for 55 yards. Meyr, a junior, had a 10-yard touchdown pass to Cameron Heath.

"We were clicking pretty good," Meyr said. "We still have some things we have to work on before next week, but we'll get there."

Central's first round was against district opponent Poplar Bluff. The Tigers gained just 28 yards of offense but had a good showing from their first-string defense. The Mules gained about 35 yards through their first nine plays, but managed two touchdowns on plays of 30 and 64 yards in the their final three plays -- mostly against second-unit guys.

"That was a pretty good set of 12 plays, most of that by our No. 1 defense," Central coach Lawrence Brookins said.

Both teams faltered in the second round of matchups before facing off against each other. Central's offense looked its best against rival Jackson, with sophomore quarterback Garrett Stevens hooking up with Ty Craft for a 45-yard touchdown pass.

Jackson's offense took a little while to get going, but scored late in the round on a 34-yard pass from Meyr to Luke Crader. Crader's catch was the last of 17 passes for Meyr, who completed six. Jackson had about six drops on the night.

Traditionally a run-first team, Gross said the 50-50 run to pass ratio on Friday will likely carry on through the season.

"That's our plan going into the year," he said. "If we have to throw more than 50 [percent], we will."

Penrod had a strong showing in the backfield. On seven carries, Penrod rushed for 92 yards and had a 70-yard touchdown run called back.

"I thought he had a couple of good turns at tailback, broke a couple of tackles," Gross said.

Stevens completed 5 of 10 passes for 81 yards and a touchdown. Sophomore running back Joe Uhls also had a 35-yard run, and sophomore receiver Derien Downing caught a pair of passes from backup quarterback Blake Slattery for 46 yards.

Brookins said he saw some positive signs from his younger players.

"I think there are a couple of younger kids that could challenge for starting spots; I really do," he said.